Proposals for rate hikes in tourist and hospitality businesses could have a devastating effect in Largs.
Fears were expressed this week that ‘swathes of pubs, restaurants and hotels’ could be forced to close around Scotland, and was likened by the Scottish Licensed Trade Association as the licensed trade’s poll tax.
And Willie Wood, owner of The Woodhouse Hotel in Largs said: “The hospitality industry has again bore the brunt of the business rates increase. It is the customer who ends up suffering as you have few options left other than to cut services or otherwise put up your prices. Over the years, it hasn’t been the easiest of off peak times. The impact will be felt across the country.”
Conservative councillor Tom Marshall said: “ I have heard of hotels having their valuation increased by 50%, self catering businesses by 70% and so on up to an increase of 150% for a bar diner. For these types of businesses such increases are excessive.
“I have been told by some operators that they will either have to increase their charges, reduce staffing or just sell up. And these are businesses which are essential for Largs to thrive, and generate jobs and wages for many people.” 
MSP Kenneth Gibson said: “It is the independent assessors who decide rateable values, not the SNP Government; a system that was in place under previous Tory, Labour and Labour/Lib Dem coalition administrations too. Every business has a right to appeal the rateable value set.”
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “We have a tourism sector that is booming. We’re the best performing part of the UK outside of the southeast for inward investment. These are the success stories of the Scottish economy, and we’ll continue to make sure we invest in the success of our economy.”